From Dreams to Classrooms: Selecting Scholars for Our Sponsorship Program
Moiyeso Enehamisi stands in front of her house in Rombo, Kajiado. (Photo: Gracious Aganda/Light Up Hope)
Supporting a community is powerful, but empowering the right individuals can change generations. Here's how we make sure our scholarships go to those who truly need them.
The cycle of child marriage is hard to break; but not impossible. Moiyeso Enehamisi knows this all too well. Forced into marriage at 15, she endured years of hardship and raised six children. But when her husband tried to marry off their daughters, she drew a line.
“I did not want my daughters to go through what I have been through”
She secretly moved her older daughter to Machakos, a semi-arid county in Kenya roughly 100 to 150 kilometers (60–90 miles) from their home in Kajiado. While not an enormous distance, it was a significant move; culturally and emotionally. Later, when her youngest daughter, Regina Kirimbayi, 14, faced the same threat, Moiyeso acted again, this time fleeing her own home and seeking safety for them both.
Regina and her mother found refuge at a rescue center for girls in Rombo, a small town in Kajiado. There, Regina made a connection that would change her life. The Light Up Hope team interviewed her and her mother during our process for choosing high school scholarship recipients. After verifying Regina’s story, the Light Up Hope team selected her as one of the beneficiaries of the high school program.
Regina (on the right) holds her scholarship letter with her sister. (Photo: Gracious Aganda/Light Up Hope)
Hope Begins Here: Choosing the Next Cohort of Light Up Hope Scholars
Regina’s story is just one example of what this roomful of girls have overcome to gather with the Light Up Hope team. The team aims to identify the students with the greatest academic potential, those with the ability to lift up their families and communities as they attain their education.
In a poorly lit classroom with old desks, the students nervously take their seats as the Light Up Hope team begins with introductions and a description of what the girls can expect during the interview process: students will visit three separate stations where Light Up Hope team members will meet with them to discuss their background and academic aptitude. Once the team finishes, the students are ushered to the various stations with tables set up for the interview process.
“The team has fine-tuned the student selection process since the beginning of the scholarship program in 2012. The scholarship program has successfully identified vulnerable but bright students from marginalized and underserved communities who have achieved academic success and realized improved life outcomes,”
The first student in line approaches the first table, where staff members ask some general questions about their background and living situation, year of birth, whether they live with both parents or who currently cares for them. They also inquire about the number of children in the household, what the parents do for a living, and an estimate of the family’s monthly income.
At the next table, the student shares their education history. They describe whether they have ever been out of school, and if so, for how long and why. If they are currently in school, the team asks whether their school fees are fully paid and how often they’ve been sent home due to lack of fees.
Moving to the next table, the student submits their most recent report card. Staff members ask about their willingness to learn if granted a scholarship and what their future aspirations are.
Once the interview is complete, the student is dismissed and the next one steps forward. This thorough vetting process is conducted by Light Up Hope staff, with the presence and support of local leaders such as pastors, chiefs, village elders, and child protection officers.
When parents attend, they also participate in an interview focused on family income and financial stability.
After completing the rigorous process, the students await the outcome of the selection. Regina was one of the girls who participated, and after a successful verification, she officially joined the Light Up Hope family.
Students wait their turn during the Light Up Hope interview session. (Photo: Gracious Aganda/Light Up Hope)
Regina’s Dream: Integrity, Service, and Transformation
Regina is now in her second year of high school; focused, settled, and determined to pursue her dreams. Her days are filled with learning, studying, and planning for a future that once seemed out of reach. In a heartfelt thank-you letter, she wrote:
“My dream is to become an accountant guided by integrity and wisdom, so I can serve others. I hope to help lift my family and my country out of poverty.”
Her words are not just aspirations; they reflect a deep sense of responsibility and hope that education can be a powerful force for change.
Regina’s education is now secured, thanks to her Light Up Hope scholarship;removing the financial burden that so often blocks the path to education for girls in rural Kenya.
Most importantly, Regina’s future was made possible by the unwavering love and sacrifice of her mother, who took a tremendous risk by courageously standing up against child marriage. Her act of defiance became an act of hope; one that not only protects Regina’s future but inspires other families to believe in the power of education and the right of every girl to fulfill her own destiny.
Light Up Hope Staff working to give students a brighter future. (Photo: Gracious Aganda/Light Up Hope)